I read the question
hanging in the air
thousands of miles
thousands of years
between us
what answer to give
as if there is only one
to soothe a heart
if a heart can be given rest
in a world in constant motion
there aren’t always answers
that one would like
to hear
or that one
can honestly say
other writing
against the rocks
turned my head
oh so briefly
but long enough
to lose sight
of you staring
at the Pacific
rolling in
against the rocks
new beginnings
hesitant heart
leaving
but
light feet
walking toward
a new day
this old man
the hour late
the glass half empty
the cat asleep
under covers
on the bed
and this old man
gazes out
to the overgrown garden
in the dark
his mind five thousand miles
away
these voices
these voices
in your head
at three o’clock
in the morning
reminding you
of the what
and the where
and the who
that caused each line
in your face
each crack
in your heart
from lines by Wu Tsao: in dreams
this night in dreams
I follow the wind
five thousand miles
then ten
then twenty
searching for you
my love
always searching
for you
to carry you away
on my painted boat
away my love
away
this longing
the day ends
but not so
this longing
in my heart
oh to be there
her hand held high
the proverbial V sign
the dress discreetly
just above the knee
the shoulder bare
her face tan
from days out hatless
under the sun
and that smile
lighting up the hills
surrounding her
and my heart
yearns hopelessly
oh to be there
beside her
from a line by Yü Hsüan-chi: blow strong wind
blow strong wind
through the streets
of this ancient city
blow the dust
from these old eyes
so that they may see
five thousand miles
across seas an ocean
there where my home
used to be
in response to a line by Wei Ying-wu: soothe a troubled heart
there is no way
to soothe a troubled heart
not wine not whiskey
nor the temporary lull
of music
only perhaps the touch
of a valued friend
can ease the aching
on a night like this
Leonard Durso 